Success Stories 

 

 

 

Profiles of former and current Happy Trails campers and ranchers on what Happy Trails has meant to them.  More stories, pictures and videos will be coming soon, so please check back later for more!  

 

 

 

 

UCLA Cheerleaders visit Happy Trails CampJasmine, age 12  

 

Last year, Jasmine had fun at camp and says she looks forward to next year.
  

 

“I liked the friends I made at camp. We had a good time over there. My cabin went to the pool with the other cabins, and we had fun together. I also liked seeing the UCLA cheerleaders.  I want to see my counselor and my friends at the next camp so we can do arts and crafts, swim and have more fun.” 

 

 

 

 

Siblings Maria, Efrem and Jonathan attended the first Happy Trails Camp in 2009, each taking away special memories and story desire to return:  

 

 

 

Maria, age 9:   

“I like Happy Trails a lot and I like going camping a lot.  Swimming in the pool and hiking were the most fun things.  The counselors were nice and they get along with the kids with a lot.   

 

I made good friends - they were so happy and they were never mad!  I think everyone who went to camp would want to go back again.”  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Efrem, age 10:    

“Happy Trails is a really good place for kids to be because it’s a lot of fun.  You get to go camping and go to some places that you’ve never been to.  It’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever been involved in.  The counselors were lots of fun.  It’s a good place for all the kids having a hard life and struggling and things like that.  Happy Trails bring joys to kids’ hearts and makes their lives a little bit easier.  It will change their lives from being shy and actually get them to talk out and meet other kids. 

 

When I went to Happy Trails, I was shy, but it really helped me talk to others and make some friends.  It’s a place for kids not to get scared and worry about anything, because the counselors make kids enjoy their life better.  I met a lot of friends last year.  This year, I want to meet some new kids who haven’t been there and then help them out.”    

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan, age 11:   

"Happy Trails is awesome.  On the first day when I went to camp, I didn’t know anybody, and it was a new experience to be away from home.  But on the last day, it felt like camp was a part of me.  It was really heartbreaking to go.  The counselors were like family.  What I loved about it was that each day we did something different, there was no routine.  It’s a really nice program for kids who have tough times.  It can really help them earn themselves back.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Alexis, age 15  

Alexis went to the first Happy Trails Camp when she was fourteen and has cheerful memories:

 


“My favorite part about camp was meeting good friends. We went swimming at the pool and the beach, went horseback riding and did arts and crafts together. I like Happy Trails Camp because I get to meet new people and have fun.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandon, age 13  

Brandon looks forward to going to back to camp this summer. Some of his highlights from last year:

 

“My favorite part about camp was meeting the professional baseball and football players!” What I also liked about camp was meeting people like Jose, Jonathan, Daniel, Jeffery and Luis. They were nice and I want to go back and play football again with my friends.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s not just kids who notice the impact of Happy Trails on the life of a child.

 

Gwen Tyson, Therapist  

 

Gwen is a therapist who works with many foster children. 
 
“The camp was a life changing experience, a real turning point in their lives! I am excited for them to go back!  It’s wonderful the way they stay connected. Happy Trails is one of the best camps my kids have experienced.”